The Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services Issues Advance Guidance to Part D Plan Sponsors Allowing the Use of Generic Sampl

The MedVantx automated ATM-like Sample Management System ("MedStart™") starts patients on generic therapy at the point of care and integrates pharmaceutical sampling data into a patient's health plan electronic medical record claims history.

SAN DIEGO, March 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- MedVantx, Inc., the company that created first ever controlled access to generic samples in US physician offices, today announced that the Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services ("CMS") has issued preliminary guidance to Medicare Part D Plan Sponsors on generic sampling programs. In a February 11, 2011 advanced notice for public comment, CMS indicated that a Part D sponsor may incur expenses related to distribution of and reporting on generic drug samples, provided to members within a physician's office setting, under the plan's administrative cost structure.  Once this proposal is finalized, Part D plan sponsors may account for MedVantx's generic sampling program both in their 2012 Medicare offering and in the current year.

MedVantx provides free generic medications in US physician offices for consumers through its proprietary automated ATM-like prescription management system (MedStart™). The MedStart™ system automates the traditional pharmaceutical sampling process for the physician and the MedVantx Patient ProfileLink™ interface captures physician sampling data in the patient's health plan electronic medical record claims history. Through the MedVantx program, patients managing complex and chronic conditions can receive generic samples covering the majority of acute and chronic conditions as part of their physician office visit. MedVantx collaborates with physicians and health plans to provide consumers access to integrated care coordination management and reimbursement counseling services and the convenience of home delivery of low cost prescriptions.  The program has proven effective in reducing costs and critical gaps in care for patients with chronic and complex diseases.

"We are excited about the use of the MedVantx ProfileLink™ claims data in the Medicare Part D marketplace," said Susan Hogue, RPh, and MedVantx Director of Managed Networks & Clinical Services. "As the US prescription drug marketplace continues its rapid shift to low cost generics and consumerism, the ability to capture claims data on generic sample utilization at the point of care will help insure the clinical integrity of a Part D plan sponsor's pharmacy database."

In the advance notice, CMS also recognized that generic sampling could be an effective tool to promote compliance with drug therapy and lower costs for Medicare and reduce beneficiary copayments.  "By facilitating access to trial supplies of less costly generic versions of Part D drugs, plan sponsors can enhance their enrollees experience in Part D by reducing their current and future cost sharing expenses.  In the case of low income beneficiaries, facilitating medication starts on generic versions of drugs also helps to limit federal low income costs sharing subsidy requirements and overall program costs for the Medicare Trust Fund."  

"Traditional pharmaceutical cost management approaches have been maximized and Part D plan sponsors are seeking new tools to engage and influence physician and consumer behavior at the point of care," stated Robert Feeney, Chief Executive Officer of MedVantx. "The MedVantx physician network has helped over 2M patients start on generic therapy at the point of care and we are excited about the potential use of the MedVantx platform in the Part D marketplace," added Mr. Feeney.

Information regarding the Advanced Notification Guidance from The Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services web site at www.cms.gov/PrescriptionDrugCovContra/Downloads/2011CombinedCallLetter.pdf

About MedVantx, Inc.

MedVantx is an innovative consumer medication management and delivery company committed to streamlining access, reducing costs and providing highly relevant information to benefit patients, physicians, health plans and manufacturers.  The MedVantx platform is a fully automated / integrated point of care to consumer home delivery channel focused on increasing the quality and cost effectiveness of the last non-managed pharmaceutical channel - the physician's office sample closet.  The Company's consumer medication management platform includes free initial prescription and over-the-counter medication therapy at the point of care; a consumer helpline providing drug information and reimbursement assistance and convenient consumer home delivery through its mail order pharmacy. The national MedVantx network has served over 2 million consumers through an integrated network including 16 health plans, 18 manufacturers and more than 3,600 prescribers.

For additional information about MedVantx and opportunities to participate in MedVantx Network, please contact MedVantx, Inc. at (858) 625-2990.

MedVantx Contact:

Susan Hogue

(858) 625-2990 Ext. 142

[email protected]



SOURCE MedVantx, Inc.